22 PRISMA — systematic reviews & meta-analyses
PRISMA — Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses — covers systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The 27-item checklist and flow diagram are at https://www.prisma-statement.org/. The templates below cover pairwise and network meta-analysis methods.
This page contains 25 method-specific templates. Each is a skeleton with placeholders in italics; the prose is written so you can paste it into a manuscript and replace only the bracketed values.
22.0.1 Bivariate SROC Curves
Methods paragraph (copy-paste, fill in italics):
[N=] participants/observations were analysed using Bivariate SROC Curves as implemented in [package vX.Y] in R [vX.Y]. Assumptions were checked: [list checks performed]. [Effect size with 95% confidence interval reported as the primary outcome]. Two-sided p-values use α = 0.05; [multiple-comparison adjustment if any].
Results paragraph (copy-paste):
Bivariate SROC Curves yielded [estimate] (95% CI [lower, upper], p = [value]). [Diagnostic / assumption summary]. [Sensitivity analysis result].
Reviewer checklist for this method. → bivariate-sroc — For Reviewers
22.0.2 Converting Between Effect Sizes
Methods paragraph (copy-paste, fill in italics):
[N=] participants/observations were analysed using Converting Between Effect Sizes as implemented in [package vX.Y] in R [vX.Y]. Assumptions were checked: [list checks performed]. [Effect size with 95% confidence interval reported as the primary outcome]. Two-sided p-values use α = 0.05; [multiple-comparison adjustment if any].
Results paragraph (copy-paste):
Converting Between Effect Sizes yielded [estimate] (95% CI [lower, upper], p = [value]). [Diagnostic / assumption summary]. [Sensitivity analysis result].
Reviewer checklist for this method. → effect-size-conversion — For Reviewers
22.0.3 Cumulative Meta-Analysis
Methods paragraph (copy-paste, fill in italics):
[N=] participants/observations were analysed using Cumulative Meta-Analysis as implemented in [package vX.Y] in R [vX.Y]. Assumptions were checked: [list checks performed]. [Effect size with 95% confidence interval reported as the primary outcome]. Two-sided p-values use α = 0.05; [multiple-comparison adjustment if any].
Results paragraph (copy-paste):
Cumulative Meta-Analysis yielded [estimate] (95% CI [lower, upper], p = [value]). [Diagnostic / assumption summary]. [Sensitivity analysis result].
Reviewer checklist for this method. → cumulative-meta-analysis — For Reviewers
22.0.4 Egger’s Test for Funnel Asymmetry
Methods paragraph (copy-paste, fill in italics):
[N=] participants/observations were analysed using Egger’s Test for Funnel Asymmetry as implemented in [package vX.Y] in R [vX.Y]. Assumptions were checked: [list checks performed]. [Effect size with 95% confidence interval reported as the primary outcome]. Two-sided p-values use α = 0.05; [multiple-comparison adjustment if any].
Results paragraph (copy-paste):
Egger’s Test for Funnel Asymmetry yielded [estimate] (95% CI [lower, upper], p = [value]). [Diagnostic / assumption summary]. [Sensitivity analysis result].
Reviewer checklist for this method. → egger-test — For Reviewers
22.0.5 Fixed-Effect vs. Random-Effects Meta-Analysis
Methods paragraph (copy-paste, fill in italics):
[N=] participants/observations were analysed using Fixed-Effect vs. Random-Effects Meta-Analysis as implemented in [package vX.Y] in R [vX.Y]. Assumptions were checked: [list checks performed]. [Effect size with 95% confidence interval reported as the primary outcome]. Two-sided p-values use α = 0.05; [multiple-comparison adjustment if any].
Results paragraph (copy-paste):
Fixed-Effect vs. Random-Effects Meta-Analysis yielded [estimate] (95% CI [lower, upper], p = [value]). [Diagnostic / assumption summary]. [Sensitivity analysis result].
Reviewer checklist for this method. → fixed-vs-random-effects — For Reviewers
22.0.6 Forest Plots in Meta-Analysis
Methods paragraph (copy-paste, fill in italics):
[N=] participants/observations were analysed using Forest Plots in Meta-Analysis as implemented in [package vX.Y] in R [vX.Y]. Assumptions were checked: [list checks performed]. [Effect size with 95% confidence interval reported as the primary outcome]. Two-sided p-values use α = 0.05; [multiple-comparison adjustment if any].
Results paragraph (copy-paste):
Forest Plots in Meta-Analysis yielded [estimate] (95% CI [lower, upper], p = [value]). [Diagnostic / assumption summary]. [Sensitivity analysis result].
Reviewer checklist for this method. → forest-plot-meta — For Reviewers
22.0.7 Funnel Plots
Methods paragraph (copy-paste, fill in italics):
[N=] participants/observations were analysed using Funnel Plots as implemented in [package vX.Y] in R [vX.Y]. Assumptions were checked: [list checks performed]. [Effect size with 95% confidence interval reported as the primary outcome]. Two-sided p-values use α = 0.05; [multiple-comparison adjustment if any].
Results paragraph (copy-paste):
Funnel Plots yielded [estimate] (95% CI [lower, upper], p = [value]). [Diagnostic / assumption summary]. [Sensitivity analysis result].
Reviewer checklist for this method. → funnel-plot-meta — For Reviewers
22.0.8 Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis
Methods paragraph (copy-paste, fill in italics):
[N=] participants/observations were analysed using Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis as implemented in [package vX.Y] in R [vX.Y]. Assumptions were checked: [list checks performed]. [Effect size with 95% confidence interval reported as the primary outcome]. Two-sided p-values use α = 0.05; [multiple-comparison adjustment if any].
Results paragraph (copy-paste):
Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis yielded [estimate] (95% CI [lower, upper], p = [value]). [Diagnostic / assumption summary]. [Sensitivity analysis result].
Reviewer checklist for this method. → ipd-meta-analysis — For Reviewers
22.0.9 Leave-One-Out Meta-Analysis
Methods paragraph (copy-paste, fill in italics):
[N=] participants/observations were analysed using Leave-One-Out Meta-Analysis as implemented in [package vX.Y] in R [vX.Y]. Assumptions were checked: [list checks performed]. [Effect size with 95% confidence interval reported as the primary outcome]. Two-sided p-values use α = 0.05; [multiple-comparison adjustment if any].
Results paragraph (copy-paste):
Leave-One-Out Meta-Analysis yielded [estimate] (95% CI [lower, upper], p = [value]). [Diagnostic / assumption summary]. [Sensitivity analysis result].
Reviewer checklist for this method. → leave-one-out — For Reviewers
22.0.10 Meta-Analysis of Diagnostic Accuracy
Methods paragraph (copy-paste, fill in italics):
[N=] participants/observations were analysed using Meta-Analysis of Diagnostic Accuracy as implemented in [package vX.Y] in R [vX.Y]. Assumptions were checked: [list checks performed]. [Effect size with 95% confidence interval reported as the primary outcome]. Two-sided p-values use α = 0.05; [multiple-comparison adjustment if any].
Results paragraph (copy-paste):
Meta-Analysis of Diagnostic Accuracy yielded [estimate] (95% CI [lower, upper], p = [value]). [Diagnostic / assumption summary]. [Sensitivity analysis result].
Reviewer checklist for this method. → diagnostic-test-meta — For Reviewers
22.0.11 Meta-Regression
Methods paragraph (copy-paste, fill in italics):
[N=] participants/observations were analysed using Meta-Regression as implemented in [package vX.Y] in R [vX.Y]. Assumptions were checked: [list checks performed]. [Effect size with 95% confidence interval reported as the primary outcome]. Two-sided p-values use α = 0.05; [multiple-comparison adjustment if any].
Results paragraph (copy-paste):
Meta-Regression yielded [estimate] (95% CI [lower, upper], p = [value]). [Diagnostic / assumption summary]. [Sensitivity analysis result].
Reviewer checklist for this method. → meta-regression — For Reviewers
22.0.12 Network Meta-Analysis: Introduction
Methods paragraph (copy-paste, fill in italics):
[N=] participants/observations were analysed using Network Meta-Analysis: Introduction as implemented in [package vX.Y] in R [vX.Y]. Assumptions were checked: [list checks performed]. [Effect size with 95% confidence interval reported as the primary outcome]. Two-sided p-values use α = 0.05; [multiple-comparison adjustment if any].
Results paragraph (copy-paste):
Network Meta-Analysis: Introduction yielded [estimate] (95% CI [lower, upper], p = [value]). [Diagnostic / assumption summary]. [Sensitivity analysis result].
Reviewer checklist for this method. → network-meta-analysis-intro — For Reviewers
22.0.13 NMA Consistency and Inconsistency
Methods paragraph (copy-paste, fill in italics):
[N=] participants/observations were analysed using NMA Consistency and Inconsistency as implemented in [package vX.Y] in R [vX.Y]. Assumptions were checked: [list checks performed]. [Effect size with 95% confidence interval reported as the primary outcome]. Two-sided p-values use α = 0.05; [multiple-comparison adjustment if any].
Results paragraph (copy-paste):
NMA Consistency and Inconsistency yielded [estimate] (95% CI [lower, upper], p = [value]). [Diagnostic / assumption summary]. [Sensitivity analysis result].
Reviewer checklist for this method. → nma-consistency — For Reviewers
22.0.14 NMA League Tables
Methods paragraph (copy-paste, fill in italics):
[N=] participants/observations were analysed using NMA League Tables as implemented in [package vX.Y] in R [vX.Y]. Assumptions were checked: [list checks performed]. [Effect size with 95% confidence interval reported as the primary outcome]. Two-sided p-values use α = 0.05; [multiple-comparison adjustment if any].
Results paragraph (copy-paste):
NMA League Tables yielded [estimate] (95% CI [lower, upper], p = [value]). [Diagnostic / assumption summary]. [Sensitivity analysis result].
Reviewer checklist for this method. → nma-league-tables — For Reviewers
22.0.15 Pooling Correlation Coefficients
Methods paragraph (copy-paste, fill in italics):
[N=] participants/observations were analysed using Pooling Correlation Coefficients as implemented in [package vX.Y] in R [vX.Y]. Assumptions were checked: [list checks performed]. [Effect size with 95% confidence interval reported as the primary outcome]. Two-sided p-values use α = 0.05; [multiple-comparison adjustment if any].
Results paragraph (copy-paste):
Pooling Correlation Coefficients yielded [estimate] (95% CI [lower, upper], p = [value]). [Diagnostic / assumption summary]. [Sensitivity analysis result].
Reviewer checklist for this method. → correlation-pooling — For Reviewers
22.0.16 Pooling Log-Odds Ratios
Methods paragraph (copy-paste, fill in italics):
[N=] participants/observations were analysed using Pooling Log-Odds Ratios as implemented in [package vX.Y] in R [vX.Y]. Assumptions were checked: [list checks performed]. [Effect size with 95% confidence interval reported as the primary outcome]. Two-sided p-values use α = 0.05; [multiple-comparison adjustment if any].
Results paragraph (copy-paste):
Pooling Log-Odds Ratios yielded [estimate] (95% CI [lower, upper], p = [value]). [Diagnostic / assumption summary]. [Sensitivity analysis result].
Reviewer checklist for this method. → log-odds-ratio-pooling — For Reviewers
22.0.17 Pooling Risk Ratios
Methods paragraph (copy-paste, fill in italics):
[N=] participants/observations were analysed using Pooling Risk Ratios as implemented in [package vX.Y] in R [vX.Y]. Assumptions were checked: [list checks performed]. [Effect size with 95% confidence interval reported as the primary outcome]. Two-sided p-values use α = 0.05; [multiple-comparison adjustment if any].
Results paragraph (copy-paste):
Pooling Risk Ratios yielded [estimate] (95% CI [lower, upper], p = [value]). [Diagnostic / assumption summary]. [Sensitivity analysis result].
Reviewer checklist for this method. → risk-ratio-pooling — For Reviewers
22.0.18 Prediction Intervals in Meta-Analysis
Methods paragraph (copy-paste, fill in italics):
[N=] participants/observations were analysed using Prediction Intervals in Meta-Analysis as implemented in [package vX.Y] in R [vX.Y]. Assumptions were checked: [list checks performed]. [Effect size with 95% confidence interval reported as the primary outcome]. Two-sided p-values use α = 0.05; [multiple-comparison adjustment if any].
Results paragraph (copy-paste):
Prediction Intervals in Meta-Analysis yielded [estimate] (95% CI [lower, upper], p = [value]). [Diagnostic / assumption summary]. [Sensitivity analysis result].
Reviewer checklist for this method. → prediction-interval-meta — For Reviewers
22.0.19 Quantifying Heterogeneity: Q and I^2
Methods paragraph (copy-paste, fill in italics):
[N=] participants/observations were analysed using Quantifying Heterogeneity: Q and I^2 as implemented in [package vX.Y] in R [vX.Y]. Assumptions were checked: [list checks performed]. [Effect size with 95% confidence interval reported as the primary outcome]. Two-sided p-values use α = 0.05; [multiple-comparison adjustment if any].
Results paragraph (copy-paste):
Quantifying Heterogeneity: Q and I^2 yielded [estimate] (95% CI [lower, upper], p = [value]). [Diagnostic / assumption summary]. [Sensitivity analysis result].
Reviewer checklist for this method. → heterogeneity-q-i2 — For Reviewers
22.0.20 Selection Models for Publication Bias
Methods paragraph (copy-paste, fill in italics):
[N=] participants/observations were analysed using Selection Models for Publication Bias as implemented in [package vX.Y] in R [vX.Y]. Assumptions were checked: [list checks performed]. [Effect size with 95% confidence interval reported as the primary outcome]. Two-sided p-values use α = 0.05; [multiple-comparison adjustment if any].
Results paragraph (copy-paste):
Selection Models for Publication Bias yielded [estimate] (95% CI [lower, upper], p = [value]). [Diagnostic / assumption summary]. [Sensitivity analysis result].
Reviewer checklist for this method. → selection-models-bias — For Reviewers
22.0.21 Standardised Mean Difference: Hedges’ g
Methods paragraph (copy-paste, fill in italics):
[N=] participants/observations were analysed using Standardised Mean Difference: Hedges’ g as implemented in [package vX.Y] in R [vX.Y]. Assumptions were checked: [list checks performed]. [Effect size with 95% confidence interval reported as the primary outcome]. Two-sided p-values use α = 0.05; [multiple-comparison adjustment if any].
Results paragraph (copy-paste):
Standardised Mean Difference: Hedges’ g yielded [estimate] (95% CI [lower, upper], p = [value]). [Diagnostic / assumption summary]. [Sensitivity analysis result].
Reviewer checklist for this method. → smd-hedges-g — For Reviewers
22.0.22 Subgroup Meta-Analysis
Methods paragraph (copy-paste, fill in italics):
[N=] participants/observations were analysed using Subgroup Meta-Analysis as implemented in [package vX.Y] in R [vX.Y]. Assumptions were checked: [list checks performed]. [Effect size with 95% confidence interval reported as the primary outcome]. Two-sided p-values use α = 0.05; [multiple-comparison adjustment if any].
Results paragraph (copy-paste):
Subgroup Meta-Analysis yielded [estimate] (95% CI [lower, upper], p = [value]). [Diagnostic / assumption summary]. [Sensitivity analysis result].
Reviewer checklist for this method. → subgroup-meta-analysis — For Reviewers
22.0.23 SUCRA Rankings
Methods paragraph (copy-paste, fill in italics):
[N=] participants/observations were analysed using SUCRA Rankings as implemented in [package vX.Y] in R [vX.Y]. Assumptions were checked: [list checks performed]. [Effect size with 95% confidence interval reported as the primary outcome]. Two-sided p-values use α = 0.05; [multiple-comparison adjustment if any].
Results paragraph (copy-paste):
SUCRA Rankings yielded [estimate] (95% CI [lower, upper], p = [value]). [Diagnostic / assumption summary]. [Sensitivity analysis result].
Reviewer checklist for this method. → nma-sucra — For Reviewers
22.0.24 Tau-Squared Estimation
Methods paragraph (copy-paste, fill in italics):
[N=] participants/observations were analysed using Tau-Squared Estimation as implemented in [package vX.Y] in R [vX.Y]. Assumptions were checked: [list checks performed]. [Effect size with 95% confidence interval reported as the primary outcome]. Two-sided p-values use α = 0.05; [multiple-comparison adjustment if any].
Results paragraph (copy-paste):
Tau-Squared Estimation yielded [estimate] (95% CI [lower, upper], p = [value]). [Diagnostic / assumption summary]. [Sensitivity analysis result].
Reviewer checklist for this method. → tau-squared-estimation — For Reviewers
22.0.25 Trim-and-Fill
Methods paragraph (copy-paste, fill in italics):
[N=] participants/observations were analysed using Trim-and-Fill as implemented in [package vX.Y] in R [vX.Y]. Assumptions were checked: [list checks performed]. [Effect size with 95% confidence interval reported as the primary outcome]. Two-sided p-values use α = 0.05; [multiple-comparison adjustment if any].
Results paragraph (copy-paste):
Trim-and-Fill yielded [estimate] (95% CI [lower, upper], p = [value]). [Diagnostic / assumption summary]. [Sensitivity analysis result].
Reviewer checklist for this method. → trim-and-fill — For Reviewers